This sustainable home is designed to suit the specific contours of the site with minimal impacts to surrounding  ecosystems. Built into the saddle of the hillside, a below grade living space allows for transition from a whole family environment to a single floor habitation for aging in place.  

 

The building shell is utilized as a passive control for indoor environmental comfort which has resulted in a 85% reduction in overall utility costs*.  

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The house served as a case study for testing sustainable materials for functionality, durability and experimenting with passive structural methods. 

 

Sustainable solutions included:

• Geothermal HVAC and bio-based insulation products 

• Passive solar design: employing roof soffit sun-shading and fenestration for control of thermal comfort and lighting 

• Subterranean living spaces maximize the insulating effects of the earth,

• Awning windows oriented over stone dry beds maximize on natural air convection for passive interior cooling 

• Exterior finishes include post consumer recycled steel, and reclaimed medina stone road curbing for hardscapes

• Building and finish materials and a whole house ERV system support healthy indoor air quality

• Reclaimed, recycled and rapidly renewable materials finish the interior. 

• Site harvested forest deadfall reused for interior accents supporting sense of place and meaning

 

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*as compared to similar sized homes with propane or oil based HVAC systems.  Utilities consumed are 100% electricity from municipal sources.  On-site electric sourcing (solar) was explored but was determined to result in extensive damage to the surrounding forest ecosystem.